Expansion joint



Dec. 29, 1936. F. J. PLYM EXPANSION JOINT Filed June 25, 1934 WWW Patented Dec. 29, 1936 UNITED STA EMANSION JOINT of Michigan Application June 25, 1934, Serial No.-'7 32,192 7 Glaims. (01. 94-18) Among the-objects of the present invention is to provide a novel expansion joint or connector for concrete slabs or the like as used in the building of roads or other surfaces. This joint or connector permits the slabs to expand or contract without -danger of the slabs separating from the joint or connector and at all times maintaining a weatherproof connection.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a novel connecting joint formed of resilient metal suitably anchored to the adjacent slabs but permitting adequate expansion and contraction of the slabs under all conditions of temperature and/or moisture.

Another object is the provision f a novel means for connecting adjacent slabs whereby to prevent the seepage of moisture therebetween, but at the same time permit complete expansion and contraction of the slabs under any and all condi- 20 tions to which the slabs may be subjected, particularly when said slabs form a road surface.

A still further object is the provision of a novel expansion joint for use intermediate slabs formed of concrete or other road or building surfacing, the joint being provided with overlapping and interlocking projections or fingers permitting complete expansion and contraction under any and all weather conditions, and at the same time insuring a proper alignment and replacement of the slabs when returning to normal. n

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, efliciency, economy and ease of assembly and operation, and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will later 35 more fully appear, and as are inherently possessed thereby.

The invention further resides in the combination, construction and arrangements-of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and

40 while there is shown therein a preferred embodiment, itis to be understood that the same" is susceptible of modification and change, and comprehends other details and constructions,

without departing from the spirit of the inven- 45 tion.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view in vertical cross section through the'novel expansion joint mounted intermediate slabs of concrete or the like.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the upper portion or head plate of the expansion joint. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in perspective of one of the connecting plates or bars. 55 Referring more particularly to the disclosure in the drawing, the novel joint construction is disclosed as made in sections, with an upper sec tion I and a lower section 2 mounted intermediate slabs 3, 3 of concrete or the like making up a road or other surface.

The upper section l comprises side plates 4, each provided with an upper and a lower flange 5 and 6. The upper flanges 5 are received wlthin the beads I of a flexible head plate 8. The lower flanges seat upon the web 9 of complementary anchoring plates or bars i0 extending transverse of the joint and slabs.

The lower section 2 is provided with opposite side walls ll having at their upper ends flanges I2 seating against the base or lower surface of the webs 9. The lower end'of the section 2 is provided with a corrugation or flexible part 13. This flexible part l3 along with the flexible head 8 readily adjust themselves and permit the necessary expansion and contraction of the adjacent slabs but at the same time prevent the seepage of water or moisture intermediate these slabs which would tend to' undermine the road or other surface. Asphalt or other pliable and waterproof filler It provides further protection for the joint. Although the space intermediate the side plates is disclosed as empty, any filler of yieldable material may be used therein so long as it permits a free expansion and contraction of the slabs.

The transversely extending plates, bars or 'members 10 are each shown as provided with outwardly projecting tongues or projections l5 and i5 which are oppositely bent or formed. These tongues or projections are clearly disclosed in Figs. 1 and 3, and become embedded in the concrete or other material forming the slab. 'The opposite end or edge of each plate is also stamped or bent to provide staggered or off-set ears or projections l6 and it. These ears or projections I6 and Hi of adjacent plates or bars over-' lap or interengage as clearly disclosed in Fig. 1, and thus although permittingfree sliding movement of the plates as these slabs expand and contract, they do maintain the slabs and opposite side walls of the joint in proper alignment and prevent vertical displacement thereof. Each plate is rigidly mounted upon the flanges 6 and I2 of the upper and lower sections by means of rivets or the like l1. If desired, any other suitable connecting means such as spot welding or the like may be employed.

By reason of the present construction, the expansion joint may be made of relatively thin, flexible metal and the slabs may freely contract or expand without danger of any leakage or seepage of water from the road surface. The anchoring projections I 5 and I 5 of the bars or plates I 0 become embedded in the'concrete or other material forming the surface or slab so that the opposite side walls of the joint and the bars or plates III are always rigidly connected or mounted-upon its respective slab. By reason of the construction of these bars or plates and their interlocking interengagement, the opposite side walls of the joint are freely movable toward or away from each other, but are revented from 4 relative vertical movement.

Having thus disclosed the invention,

I claim:

1. An expansion joint for connecting normally spaced slabs or blocks of surfacing material subject to expansion and contraction, comprising spaced members flexibly connected at their upper and lower ends, and a transversely extending plate connected to each section and provided at its one end with oppositely projecting tongues adapted to be embedded in the material of the adjoining slab and at its other end provided with alternate projections adapted to contactingly engage with complementary projections on the adjacent plate whereby to maintain said sections in a proper alignment.

2. An expansion joint for connecting adjacent slabs of paving material subjected to expansion and contraction forces, comprising plates conof the slabs, transversely extending members each connected to a plate, and complementary overlapping projections on said members extending inwardly of said plates and thereat slidingly inter-engage for maintaining the plates in proper alignment during the expansion and contraction of said slabs.

4. An expansion joint for connecting adjacent slabs of a concrete roadway or other surface, comprising spaced metallic sections adapted to be moved relative to each other as the slabs contract or expand, and means for anchoring each section to its respective slab, said means including transversely extending plates, one connected to each section and each plate provided with oppositely disposed projections adapted to be embedded in the material of the slab for anchoring therein each section and its respective plate.

5. An expansion joint for connecting adjacent slabs of paving material subjected to expansion and contraction forces, comprising spaced sections forming an expanding and contracting chamber therebetween, and transversely extending plate members anchored in said spaced sections and having their outer ends embedded in the slabs and their inner ends in telescoping interengagement and thereby permitting free sliding movement of said sections during expansion and contraction of the slabs but preventing relative vertical movement therebetween.

6. An expansion joint for connecting adjacent slabs of paving material subjected to expansion and contraction forces, comprising spaced members flexibly connected at their upper and lower ends, and anchoring platesone connected to each member and extending transverse of the slabs, said plates having their outer edges formed with oppositely bent projections adapted to be embedded in the material of the slabs and their inner edges free and in sliding engagement.

'7. An expansion joint for connecting adjacent slabs of paving material subjected to expansion and contraction forces, comprising spaced members, flexibly connected at their upper and lower ends, and an anchoring plate connected to each member with their outer ends embedded in the material of the slab and their inner ends in overlapping relation to permit longitudinal expan- FRANCIS J.. PLYM- 

